The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-08

"You are surprised, my son." he said, fac
ing me and smiling. ~ doubt if you ever
before realized how close together are the
higher and the lower worlds-how brief is
the step between them. You have seen
much here but you have still more to see.
Yonder is the water of oblivion, and this is
the temple of its devotees. l am its high
priest"
With this we advanced further into the
temple, passing pillar after pillar and under
arch after arch The lights burned softly,
our footsteps made but slight sounds upon
the smooth, polished floor of semi-trans-
| parent stone, and in the air there hung faint
odors of delicate perfumes, which changed
| and varied constantly
| Saving ourselves, the temple seemed de-
serted. My guide moved more slowly now
| than he did when we were coming up the
hollow, and, without a sign of imperious-
ness, he had grown majestic.
"Be heard' he suddenly exclaimed, and
| instantly soft strains of witching and pas
sionate music stole in upon us from every
| where. Still there was no one in sight The
music continued, but in a strange, indifnite
| way, without taking upon itself melodic
| shape and character. 1t seemed like the
| accompaniment to a succession of love
songs, it was sweet, impressive harmony
made of love whispers and love signs.
My guide noted its effect upon me, and
smiled at my delight.
| "Appear!" he exclaimed, presently, in
the same startling, unexpected manner as
| before.
| There was sudden rustling and a tink-
| ling OF little bells, and then, as if they
stepped out of the endless rows of shining pill
| lars, the whole place was filed with smiling
| maidens. Such of their wondrous beauty
| as was not wholly uncovered was height
ened rather than concealed by the feecy,
LII a., l,n,,.
in ieweled sandals and jeweled bands held
| their loose, streaming hair back from their
| faces. Upon each of their bare arms also,
| were two jeweled bracelets. Their ages
| seemed to run from Is TO 20, and, singly as
well as collectively, it was such arevelation
| of womanly perfection and beauty as, am
| sure, no mortal ever dreamed of Poor
| Nichette! How she suffered in comparison
with these splendid, matchless women! Be
| side their perfection of form and face-the
| latter | now mean from the standpoint of
| beauty-there was, upon the brow and in
the eyes of each, the unmistakable impress
of marked and decided intellect. This, to
Inc, was more wonderful and astonishing
than their shapeliness and grace, and re-
marked the same to my guide.
'These are my proselytes," he said, land
you are the first mortal | have ever deemed
worthy to see them Do not look sur
prised; though am a stranger TO you,
have been watching you for long while -
The maidens, still smiling, stood about us
at regular intervals, waiting apparently for
another signal from him who had pro
claimed himself master Taking me by the
hand he led me up half dozen stairs,
where, side by side, we paused upon a dias.
My companion then spoke a word in Ian
\ guage unknown to me, whereupon the
maidens began something which was neither
a march nor a waltz, but which partook OF
some of the elements of both.
Finally, l observed that they were grad
ually leaving the temple and forming series
of circles in the valley outside, between the
temple and the waterfall. At last my guide
and | were the only ones in the temple.
From where we stood we could see very dis
tinctly their graceful, almost rhythnical
movements. In my heart was the yearning
wish that this might go on forever
soon they will return" said my guide.
"While they are gone | wish TO tell you
something of vast importance. This day Is
the turning point of your existence in the
lower world. Before to-day could not re-
veal myself to you. After to-day, il you
reject the truths give you. | can never
speak with you again. Oblivion is mat
ter of grade and degree. Yonder are its
waters. As it covers you, in greater or
lesser measure, you so assume more or less of
Oblivion. To plunge in yonder waterfall is
to drown memory altogether, and, also,
comprehension. You would not, then.
know at one moment what had taken place
in the previous moment. Oblivion thus is a
punishment, since the kind of existence it
permits is pain and torture at their utmost.
Oblivion rs a blessing is what comes to one
upon entering paradise Then, of course,
though, being only in his spiritual state,
| man s sweetest raptures are already past To
enter the water OF oblivion sufficiently that
all your past is wholly dead and forgotten
is to enter paradise in flesh and blood. Then.
with perfect companions, you go on, for
ever, If you viii, IN unchanging youth in an
existence of unalloyed bliss, innocence and
perfection. Perfect as seem these women
who have just left us, you shall have as
your future companion and wife one whose
PROJECTIONS rs compared with these il as full
daylight and sunshine are to midnight
blaclless The waters Of oblivion can live
you this, and fame also; fame, too, such as
no man ever had before VIII you partake
J of themf' NELL ~ n -